You don’t see yourself as that kind of person. You’re too cool for it. You don’t want to pull up in a minivan. You do not want to wear that Disney sweatshirt on the family trip. You do not want to go to Chuck E. Cheese. You don’t want to have to listen to KPop Demon Hunters or watch Gabby’s Dollhouse.

But you know what? Just get over it.

You’re not going to look back and regret that you drove a more convenient car for your family. You’re not going to look back and think, “I was such a loser” because you went along with something they were all excited about. On the contrary, you’re going to regret that you were stubborn. You’re going to regret that you insisted on things being harder than they needed to be. You’re going to wonder why you cared so much about what other people think.

This is such a short window, such a short window when our kids are the complete and total center of our lives. Such a short window of school pickups and family vacations and spending time together at home. Just go along for the ride, man. Get in, the water is warm. Don’t let ‘cool’ get in the way. Don’t fight for the wrong things.

You have a family, you have kids. The minivan? That sweatshirt? Those songs? They’re not a reflection of you. They don’t matter—except to the people that do matter. So no, you don’t need to wear or buy or do any of it. But it’d be a lot cooler if you did.

P.S. If you’re interested in a simple way to reflect on your parenting journey and this fleeting time in your kids’ childhood (because, yes, when you hear “Golden” from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack years from now, it will bring you right back to these times and you’ll miss them profoundly), check out our new Daily Dad Five Year Reflection Journal, restocked and available to order.

For each day of the year, you’ll have one line to answer a question, reflect on a parenting topic, or record a memory. Each year afterward, you’ll answer the same prompt in the space below your previous one. Over the course of five years, you’ll have a beautiful record of growth, change, and memories.

This new leatherbound Daily Dad Journal is a limited edition. Head here to learn more and get your copy!